Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision provisionally to renew the TowMate, LLC (TowMate) exemption which allows motor carriers to operate rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems during temporary towing operations that do not meet the vehicle power supply requirements for all required lamps in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemption is renewed for 5 years, unless rescinded earlier.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 15 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 15 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

To address industry concerns about all crashes being used in the Agency's Safety Measurement System (SMS), since May 2020 FMCSA has been operating the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP). This program reviews 16 specific crash types and modifies information in the SMS to distinguish not preventable crashes. The existing program was an expansion of the Agency's previous demonstration program that reviewed eight specific crash types. Through the incorporation of this information into SMS, FMCSA is better positioned to identify unsafe carrier and driver behaviors and prioritize carriers for interventions, by excluding not preventable crashes when calculating a motor carrier's Crash Indicator Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Category measure and percentile Based on the Agency's experiences with the crash types and its reviews of crash eligibility, FMCSA proposes modifying existing crash types to broaden eligibility, removing the distinction between direct and indirect strikes, and differentiating some types for improved reporting and use of the data to identify ways to reduce crashes involving non-motorists, in alignment with the Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategies at www.transportation.gov/NRSS. In addition, FMCSA proposes that four new crash types be included in the program. FMCSA seeks comments on these proposed changes. FMCSA will respond to comments it receives on the proposal and announce the start of the updated CPDP through a subsequent Federal Register notice.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the applications from four individuals treated with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) who requested an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) prohibiting operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce by persons with a current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope (transient loss of consciousness), dyspnea (shortness of breath), collapse, or congestive heart failure.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 12 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 10 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 11 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for nine individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. The FMCSA requests approval to renew an ICR titled, ``Request for Revocation of Authority Granted.''

FMCSA clarifies its March 3, 2023, notice announcing an application from Waymo LLC (Waymo) and Aurora Operations, Inc. (Aurora) for a 5-year exemption from the required placement of warning devices around stopped commercial motor vehicles (CMVs); the requirement that lamps for warning devices be steady-burning; and to allow use of a warning device for stopped vehicles not currently allowed by Agency rules. FMCSA clarifies that the application was filed by Waymo and Aurora on behalf of a class of motor carriers operating autonomous driving systems (ADS) equipped CMVs and is not limited to Waymo or Aurora. The Agency also extends the public comment period on the request for an exemption.

FMCSA is reopening the comment period for its interim guidance, Definitions of Broker and Bona Fide Agents. The interim guidance informs the public and regulated entities about FMCSA's interpretation of the definitions of broker and bona fide agents as it relates to all brokers of transportation by commercial motor vehicle. FMCSA is taking this action to better define the terms in response to a mandate in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). After consideration of public comments received, FMCSA provided clarification on its interpretation of the definitions of broker and bona fide agents, in addition to meeting other criteria required by the IIJA. While the interim guidance was effective immediately upon publication, FMCSA sought comments to the interim guidance and will issue final guidance by June 16, 2023. FMCSA is reopening the comment period in anticipation of hosting a public listening session allowing comments on this topic. FMCSA will host the session at 10 a.m. on March 31, 2023, in Louisville, KY, and concurrently with the Mid America Trucking Show (MATS). Anyone wishing to attend can register at: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/fmcsa-session-2-broker-regulatory-sessio n-tickets- 549535173497. In addition, a transcript of the public listening session will be placed in the guidance docket.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 10 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for eight individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces that John Olier requests an exemption from the 11-, 14-, and 70-hour hours of service (HOS) regulations along with all ``mandatory break'' periods which would include the 10-hour and 30- minute break requirements. The applicant requests a permanent exemption for himself and believes that his safe driving record and experience demonstrate an equivalent level of safety. FMCSA requests public comment on the applicant's request for exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces that Matthew Killmer has requested an exemption from the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations to allow him to split his sleeper-berth time into two 5-hour periods. The applicant indicates that the exemption would allow him to be a more alert and well rested commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operator and allow him to find a safe place to park his CMV. FMCSA requests public comment on the applicant's request for exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny Flat Top Transport's request for an exemption from the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. Flat Top Transport requested a four-month exemption for ``immediate and emergency delivery of dry and bulk food grade products to locations that supply stores and distribution centers nationally.'' FMCSA analyzed the application and public comments and determined that the exemption would not achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The FMCSA requests to renew an ICR titled, ``Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.'' The Agency's final rule, published December 5, 2016, titled ``Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse'' (Clearinghouse) established the regulatory requirements for the Clearinghouse. The compliance date of the final rule was January 6, 2020. FMCSA began collecting data as authorized users began registering in the Clearinghouse in September 2019. This ICR renewal is needed to support the continuation of the querying and reporting requirements to address the problem of commercial driver's license (CDL) and commercial learner's permit (CLP) holders who test positive for the use of controlled substances or the misuse of alcohol and then continue to perform safety sensitive functions, including driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), without completing the required return-to-duty (RTD) process.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for seven individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for seven individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 10 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from six individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the renewal Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to renew an ICR titled, ``391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form.'' This Information Collection (IC) is voluntary and may be utilized by Medical Examiners (MEs) responsible for issuing Medical Examiner's Certificates (MECs) to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. MEs that choose to use this IC do so to communicate with treating healthcare professionals who are responsible for prescribing certain medications, so that the ME fully understands the reasons the medications have been prescribed. The information obtained by the ME when utilizing this IC assists the ME in determining if the driver is medically qualified and ensures that there are no disqualifying medical conditions or underlying medical conditions and prescribed medications that could adversely affect their safe driving ability or cause incapacitation constituting a risk to the public. FMCSA received one comment in response to the Federal Register notice published on September 8, 2022.